Have you ever experienced pain when reaching overhead to grab a can out of a cabinet, reaching into the back seat of your car, or participating in your favorite sports like baseball, tennis, or swimming? Biceps tendinitis is a frequently seen culprit of pain at the front of the shoulder, especially when performing overhead movements. Learn more about the anatomy behind this condition, common causes and symptoms, and how physical therapy can be helpful in its treatment by reading below!
Anatomy
The biceps brachii, better known as the biceps, is a large muscle on the front of the upper arm. Its primary actions are to help flex the elbow and to supinate the forearm (turn the palm upwards). The biceps muscle has two muscular heads, a long head and short head which start at different points on the front of the shoulder blade and come together to attach just below the elbow on the radius (forearm).
The long head specifically runs down the arm and crosses the shoulder (glenohumeral) joint, traveling through a space known as the bicipital groove. The tendon of the long head, which attaches the muscle belly to bone, is the most common point of biceps tendinitis.
Causes and Symptoms
Biceps tendinitis is a condition in which the tendon of the biceps becomes inflamed due to repeated and/or excessive stress. This is most commonly the result of repetitive overuse in individuals who participate in sports or occupations that involve frequent overhead movement. However, it may also be caused by age-related degenerative changes, sudden overuse (like an abrupt increase in exercise), and scapula or shoulder instability or tightness, among other factors. Biceps tendinitis is often seen in conjunction with rotator cuff or labral injuries given the long head’s relationship to the shoulder joint.
Symptoms of biceps tendinitis may include:
- Pain or tenderness directly in the front of the shoulder that can radiate down the front of the arm
- Pain when reaching overhead, behind the back, or across the body
- Shoulder weakness or limited motion
- Feeling of catching, clicking, or snapping at the shoulder
Treatment
Although medications, injections, and surgery may be used in the treatment of biceps tendinitis, physical therapy is a great option for conservative management of the condition. A physical therapist will work with you to create a personalized plan of care to effectively treat your shoulder. Treatment may include:
- Range of Motion (ROM) exercises to restore the mobility of your shoulder joint
- Strengthening exercises to ensure your shoulder joint is protected and can move appropriately to handle your everyday tasks and activities
- Manual Therapy to decrease tension/increase flexibility of the muscles and improve the overall motion at the joint by targeting areas of restriction
- Pain Management to help relieve pain through the use of modalities (such as heat and electrical stimulation) and reduce the use of medication
- Education to correct improper movement patterns and help prevent re-injury
Written By: Dr. Sydney Brown, DPT
If pain at the front of the shoulder is limiting your ability to participate in everyday activities and hobbies, call Respire Physical Therapy at 703-671-1871 or click here to schedule an evaluation and begin addressing your shoulder pain today!
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